Gamecocks improve to 3-0 with rout of UAB

Damiere Byrd hauls in a touchdown against UAB.

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 05:27:19 GMT — COLUMBIA (WACH) â?? South Carolina rolled up 501 yards of total offense in a 49-6 victory over UAB on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium, giving head coach Steve Spurrier his 200th career victory as a collegiate head coach.

With the win, the Gamecocks improve to 3-0 and extend their winning streak to seven games dating back to last season, which ties for the second longest streak in school history.

For the second straight week, South Carolina gained more than 500 yards of offense, passing for 322 and rushing for 179. The Gamecocks had to mix up quarterbacks after junior Connor Shaw left the game late in the second quarter with an injury. Shaw completed 8-of-14 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game. His status for next week is uncertain. Sophomore Dylan Thompson came in after Shawâ??s injury and had plenty of success directing the offense, throwing for 177 yards and two scores.

Junior running back Marcus Lattimore rushed for 85 yards on just 12 carries and had one score as he became South Carolinaâ??s career leader in touchdowns with 34. He also moved into a tie with George Rogers (1977-80) and Harold Green (1986-89) for first in school history in rushing touchdowns with 31. Freshman Mike Davis contributed 84 yards and a touchdown on just four carries.

Sophomore receiver Bruce Ellington led the receiving corps with five catches for 98 yards, and sophomore Damiere Byrd had a 94-yard touchdown reception. Junior Ace Sanders hauled in four passes for 55 yards and a score, and freshman Shaq Roland added a 30-yard touchdown reception.

Defensively, the Gamecocks were just as impressive as they allowed 267 yards of offense, including just 89 in the second half. Senior linebacker Shaq Wilson tallied a game-high eight tackles. Sophomore Jadeveon Clowney was in the UAB backfield disrupting plays for most of the night, recording seven tackles (3.5 for a loss) and two sacks. Senior D.J. Swearinger added three stops and a 65-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

South Carolina returns to action next Saturday at home against Missouri. Kickoff has been set for 3:30 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium. The contest will be televised nationally on CBS.